Maybe we will end up there???

Ok, post number 2 because it is just too hard to not document our times away as a family. Florida was COLDER than normal but of course didn't stop us. Lexi discovered the hot tub very fast and it quickly became her favorite spot as she would venture back and forth between the pool and top step of the hot tub. (Tiring for me but the girl already has her own agenda and wants to be a big girl like her sister.) She continues to make us laugh and gets more beautiful everyday. We just can't get enough of her. She had a hard time with the sand at the beginning but finally warmed up to the fact that it was ok for her toes to be sandy. She was quite the social butterfly with surrounding guests and was just over joyed to be outside. She has been so pent up at home and watches Kylee leave all the time. Lexi just giggled with excitement every day and couldn't get enough of each experience. Some awesome friends joined us for the end of the trip but unfortunately Dave couldn't make it. Sky was terrific like always watching all the kids so Mel and I could enjoy some girl time. Part of this time was spent teaching them how to find sea glass and with all this training (as you can see) Kylee has become an expert. She now has her own container full at home and our display jar is overflowing. Sky could spend hours collecting this stuff and I feel proud to have introduced him to it. Oh, and the trip is never complete until they catch a lizard or two and this time even a gecko!

Kylee's world now focuses on friends! This kid can't have enough playdates and when she discovered her good friend Zanna (who has moved to NY) was going to spend 4 days in Florida with her she was on countdown mode anticipating her arrival. They had a blast together as you can see, enjoyed being goofy, swimming as much as possible, matching every outfit as best as they could even down to the underwear, and getting all fancy for one of our nights out. I never heard, "what are we doing next mom" the entire time they were there!

One Saturday was spent at the Palm Beach Science Center which was an awesome discovery. We spent over 4 hours there and Kylee still would have stayed longer. I was surprised at how many perfect entertaining and educational hands on things there were for her. She still talks about it and wants to go back. I love how eager these young minds are to learn. Is this not the classic picture? We were capturing our own shadows and must have done it over 30 times. One area was the grossology lab where we learned more about gas, boogers, burping, barfing...hmmm!?!?

Lastly, I love watching these girls together and am thankful they have each other. Kylee loves taking care of Lexi and is always watching out for her. Oh there are going to be some tough tough times with these two but thank goodness for those priceless moments as well! Florida just puts me in a good...who knows maybe we will end up there. Sky made some awesome connections!

Back Home from our 2nd Home

I think one of the best parts about being away from home is you don't have to think about all the projects or day to day tasks that you should be working on because you can't. You can relax without any guilt. Sky and I hung out in front of the TV or on the porch every night and just loved it. Now don't get me wrong you all know how much TV or vegging I do at home in the evenings but it is never guilt free. It is easy to say that we had an incredible time and could never get sick of the Florida scenery. We had a great time together as a family and as always Skylar managed to pull off getting home at a reasonable time every day. I have over a 100 pictures I could share and I do want to post a few but first we must show off one of Ky's HUGE accomplishments. We are so proud of how far she has come in the water. She has been so nervous to get her face wet even after watching all her cousins swim over the summer but here ya go guys and thank you Zanna for some of your encouragement! Also, Lexi has finally picked up on a few more words and discovered them in Florida. We tried to capture a few so listen carefully

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You better Believe it!

Yes, it's true....The Alsop's now own a MINI VAN!

Yes, it's true....we are heading to Florida AGAIN!

Yes, it's true....we are actually going to drive there as a family!

Ok, brother's, brother in-law, certain friends, etc. give me all the heck you want over the dreaded mini van purchase. They are just too practical to pass up and even Sky is raving about it. (wow, scary) My Jetta from college is on its last leg. It has been good to us but it is time to say good-bye. How times change. I'm now driving around a mini van with my two girls in the back seat just loving my automatic doors and enjoying watching them climb in on there own. We purchased a Toyota Sienna just a couple days ago and are loading it up and heading to Florida. You all know how terrible my girls are in the car and we are actually going to attempt a 17 hour drive together. All I need to do is just battle it out and will be welcomed by paradise as we get away from this absolutely freezing weather. Tomorrow it is onlygoing to be about 15 degrees but on Saturday I should experience 70 degrees. Ky, has been asking non-stop to go to Florida where it's warm and no coats are needed. We've trained her well or should I say spoiled her well. Skylar pulled off another rotation in Florida...man I love the perks of the PATHOLOGY Residency. Chat with you all in a few weeks if I make it through the drive. Don't worry I'm flying home with the girls.

Raise the Kiss!

It is only suiting that on New Year's Eve in Hershey they raise the KISS and then follow it with a fun firework show. I know I've said it over and over but I just love the little things they do in this town and am going to miss them when we leave. Well, it was freezing FREEZING cold new year's eve with the horrible PA wind on top of that and we almost wimped out. We had about 15 minutes to spare until 12 and I insisted on going. We made it to the square in time for the celebration thanks to our perfect illegal parking spot and my parents staying home with the girls! With more effort than you would think we finally pulled off a group shot. I first apparently asked a person who was hard of hearing or just didn't want to bail us out and then an older gentleman was willing but it wasn't till about 6 tries that he finally remembered the right button to push. I think he did a pretty good job and I guess the message is...cherish this picture! We were sure glad that Laura and Tay made it to Hershey for a few days as well. HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!

X-mas came and went

Sometimes I feel like there is so much preparation, planning, excitement, work and then snap the day is over. Thank goodness all that time leading up to Christmas is fun and well worth it. We finally just finished putting all the decorations away after Kylee gave many of them a kiss good-bye. When we told her it was time to take stuff down she replied, "oh dang, why does christmas have to be such a short holiday?" (ha ha) We had a great one and before I move on I have to go back and recap.

As I mentioned before Kylee was just so much fun this year as she got into everything! It was just a riot watching her sprinkle food out on the lawn for the reindeer, assuring her that Santa knew she was at Grandma's house, and watching her write her own letter to him with the cookies.

These were our darling girls christmas morning. As always Grandma (oops santa) did an amazing job arranging all the gifts. Kylee was very excited to have gotten a new chair and quickly passed the old pink one onto Lexi. You all know how much Kylee uses her chair and Lexi is the same way. They now each have one and they continue to get used daily.
We began with stockings on G'pa & G'ma's bed following our childhood tradition. Lexi was more concerned with any kind of food she could find in hers and once discovered gave up on searching for anything else. Here she is with her mouth full as she often is. Ky, was just amazed at how much could fit in there and just kept pulling out.
Both girls were spoiled rotten as always between all their grandparents and Santa but don't worry there was no complaining going on. Kylee's highlights were her Barbie's, her own Barbie laptop (way to go Mom), Magformers from Nana which Ky and G-pa had a blast with (very clever Linda) and her own copy of Pinkalicious. I could go on and on......
Lexi luckily made it through the day as she got pretty sick the day after but she is always a trooper. She couldn't get enough of her OWN TALKING baby doll and her horsey! (thank you) She actually still has a gift or two to still open which I guess we will keep on reserve.
We are SO glad my sister Laura and her husband Taylor made it out for Christmas. They of course added to the party! Ky, loves the energy Uncle Tay brings and has become Laura's little shadow. They had a great time baking together and talking about the little girl in Laura's tummy. Kylee's wish is to be a Mom already and took great care of Laura's belly. She was a little worried about me giving some of her baby clothes to her and wanted to make sure we were keeping some for her baby one day.
Nothing better than the holidays with family!

Ky has been obsessed with her Christmas jammie's and still wearing them every night. At this rate we may still be celebrating x-mas in the spring!

Oh, and x-mas morning is even more complete when you accomplishing getting an expression like this from parents who in my opinion are hard to shop for. We got um with a perfect family collage from our reunion this past summer.

Merry Christmas Everybody!

Kylee wanted to send a little shout out to everybody. She performed several songs with her preschool and then re-performed a couple at home. We sure wish we could be with everyone for the holiday but for all of you that we won't see, especially Nana and Grandpa Ted here is a short little video for you. (turn your volume up)The girls are eager to travel to my parents house tomorrow and have their reindeer food ready to sprinkle all over the front yard!

How Far is too Far...

This time of year is just so much fun especially when you have a child who BELIEVES! Kylee is into it more than ever and I just wonder if it is possible to take it too far? Well, we are sure having fun with it. We have visited Santa's reindeer at Hershey Park twice already and man am I glad those employees are well trained. Kylee, remembered by the size of some of the antlers which reindeer was who based on what she was told from her first visit and even with different employees they had the same stories and the same identifications for the reindeer. I bet you didn't know that Cupid is Rudolph's best friend or that Rudolph's nose looks just like the others now but lights up and turns red on Christmas Eve. We enjoyed an early visit to Santa at the beginning of the season who with a little help from me asked Kylee if she always listens to her mother, eats her veggies, cleans up, etc. As we were leaving she whispered in my ear, "Mom, will you please tell Santa that I've been good." The rest of the evening was filled with, "Sure Mom...Ok Mom." On her bad days she is quick to tell me that she will do better tomorrow and when she does something kind or helpful she often remarks, "Mom, I bet Santa wrote that down." Oh, I want to be a kid again but it sure is fun being the parent right now too!
We've had a great time...

pulling out each x-mas decoration

counting down each day on our calendar & kiss tree

singing and teaching christmas carols
teaching Lexi HO HO HO
going to HP

bringing toys to the hospital

Ky collecting for the food drive

Watching "Frosty the Snowman"

dressing in red

Setting up the Nativity (Activity)

so much more and plenty to still come!

After 2 years...

They are actually done!!!! My 2 year long stocking making project is finally done thanks to my MOM. As many of you know I just don't sew but this pottery barn stocking pattern was just too cute to pass up 2 years ago when a group of ladies in my ward decided to make them. I thought why not...I need to try something new and have always wanted hand made stockings for the family. Well, I got in way over my head and kept putting the project off. This was a multi step process that I kept dragging on and am very thankful to a couple of my friends that at least kept me going...you know who you are. I did learn so many new things which I guess was the point. Me...Cheryl actually did some hand stitching and made her own appliques. But putting these things together just seemed impossible and my Mom is always up for a good challenge and is luckily there to bail me out. It feels just great to look at this finished project and I just had to share it. Kylee has been one of my biggest fans as she is just in love with her stocking. Now it is time to wait and see if they get filled. Hope you all are enjoying the season. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Get Down & Boogie

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

The TRADITION Continues

As a child I went to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade every year...rain, snow or freezing cold. I'm becoming more of a wimp as I get older and am impressed that my parents kept this tradition going. We have so many great memories from this parade and thanks to my parents and our life long friends they know how to make the experience perfect. We always have front row seats, chairs, hot chocolate, donuts, great friends, comments that keep you laughing and awesome memories at the end. It has been so neat to now share this experience with Kylee. This was know her third year attending which is hopefully enough for her to always remember it. She absolutely loves the balloons...but then again how can anyone not. They are just huge and pretty amazing to see in person. We were blessed with great weather again!

Ky's favorites were Dora and Horton Hears a Who. When we were kids we loved collecting all the confetti the clowns would throw. Some years were better than others and this year we must have caught their attention cause we were covered in it several times and Kylee retrieved her own little collection. Sky stayed home with Lexi and Ky and I joined my parents who then met up with our large crew as always...friends from Connecticut, Jones, and who ever else may happen to arive.
It's always fun to see which stars we will get a chance to see. This year we all let David Archuleta know we were his fans!

Thanks Mom and Dad for another perfect year and of course a yummy turkey dinner!